SouthLondonRedskin wrote:It's the National Health Service to be accurate, but you're close enough.

One day soon they'll have something like it in your country and all human beings can be treated as such by getting essential health care free of charge and worry regardless of class, race or religion.

That's if you can slice a couple of $billion off your defence budget to cover it, but then I'm sure you have enough aircraft carriers and nuclear missles to be getting on with for now so no worries there, eh....?

Opps, was that a can of worms I just knocked over!!!!

Hooray for long lines!

OK, but I'm not sure what your Coke habit has got to do with anything...?

I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the swimming finals last night. Spent the whole day at the Olympic Park, taking in the atmosphere and getting a good look at all those brand new arenas and stadia that have been built on what was a derelict, run down, poisoned and desperate piece of land in the east of London.

I have to say that, in contrast to the worries and gripes of all the cynics, I was completely blown away by every aspect of the experience. The park is magnificent and every venue looks a picture. The aquatics centre, even with its temporary seating, looks and sounds magnificent when 17,000 spectators are inside. Certainly, the TV sound mix doesn't do any justice to the atmosphere that is created inside, particularly when a Brit is competing.

I have to say that we really have pulled off a miracle in putting together the infrastructure in that area, in contrast to previous games which have taken place miles from the centre of whichever city they purported to represent.

And two other things that stood out for me, both of which would be expected to be weaknesses in the UK. Firstly, the transport - it worked! It's only my personal experience, but there were no delays, crowds, crushes, panics and disasters. Everything worked smoothly, promptly and efficiently.

Secondly, the volunteers. In a nation which generally prefers to sit back and let somebody else get on with it, we have managed to assemble a volunteer force that knows their jobs, are helpful, knowledgeable, courteous and enthusiastic. They are absolutely fantastic.

There's a long way to go to the end of the games, and plenty of scope for mishaps, but I really do think this is an achievement to put the Great back into Britain

UK Skins Fan wrote:I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the swimming finals last night. Spent the whole day at the Olympic Park, taking in the atmosphere and getting a good look at all those brand new arenas and stadia that have been built on what was a derelict, run down, poisoned and desperate piece of land in the east of London.

I have to say that, in contrast to the worries and gripes of all the cynics, I was completely blown away by every aspect of the experience. The park is magnificent and every venue looks a picture. The aquatics centre, even with its temporary seating, looks and sounds magnificent when 17,000 spectators are inside. Certainly, the TV sound mix doesn't do any justice to the atmosphere that is created inside, particularly when a Brit is competing.

I have to say that we really have pulled off a miracle in putting together the infrastructure in that area, in contrast to previous games which have taken place miles from the centre of whichever city they purported to represent.

And two other things that stood out for me, both of which would be expected to be weaknesses in the UK. Firstly, the transport - it worked! It's only my personal experience, but there were no delays, crowds, crushes, panics and disasters. Everything worked smoothly, promptly and efficiently.

Secondly, the volunteers. In a nation which generally prefers to sit back and let somebody else get on with it, we have managed to assemble a volunteer force that knows their jobs, are helpful, knowledgeable, courteous and enthusiastic. They are absolutely fantastic.

There's a long way to go to the end of the games, and plenty of scope for mishaps, but I really do think this is an achievement to put the Great back into Britain

Did you manage to get any tickets South London Redskin?

I know you enjoyed the 100m IM relay there, UK.

Seriously though, I totally understand your post. When the Olymics were in Atlanta, it was a totally great experience.

Nah mate, applied for a few things (boxing, basketball, athletics) but didn't get a sniff.

Glad you got along to something though. I always felt this would be a good games, its just that people are so cynical over here about things like this cos we get let down regularly by the powers that be with transport and stuff. But when it comes to putting on an International show, surprise surprise, no bother!

BTW, security has been stepped up BIG time. I drove today from my yard to Greenwich via Lewisham and there was Old Bill everywhere! I saw no less than 8 cars pulled over and checked. Loads of Police dogs by all the stations, and they aint sniffing for drugs!

Security is what you'd expect it to be, but it's great that so much security is being provided by our armed forces. I'd much rather see our troops at the front gate than some fat sweaty former bouncer from Group 4!

I agree for the most part... but what's with gymnastics limiting each team to only 2 competitors in the individual all around? Seems you'd actually want the best athletes to be competing... if 3 or 4 happen to be from one country... whatever... it just makes the sport seem kind of candy assed.

I've never much cared for any sport where I am told by some anonymous judge who has won...

I agree for the most part... but what's with gymnastics limiting each team to only 2 competitors in the individual all around? Seems you'd actually want the best athletes to be competing... if 3 or 4 happen to be from one country... whatever... it just makes the sport seem kind of candy assed.

I've never much cared for any sport where I am told by some anonymous judge who has won...

I agree that the highlighted portion makes the sport candy assed. Infuriating and often impossible to follow what they judges are looking at.

The taking top 2 from each country's team for the all around competition isn't candy assed. First off, if you've got a problem with the rule cause you finished 3rd in your country's quals, tough. You shoulda finished in the top 2, it isn't like this rule was spruing on them at the last minute. Win and you're in. Secondly, if I wanted to watch 5 americans and 5 russians compete, I'd watch the damn team competition. I want to see Surinam's top 2 go for the gold just like I wanna see Gabby Douglas. I mean the olympics is about, in part, watching the world compete, right? Third, and this ain't a justification, just pointing this out, don't most sports do this? Baseball, hockey, soccer/futbol, football and basketball all take winners of their respective divisions, regardless of record. Same idea. Except here, you can't have a wild card sport or 2.

I know he got a pretty good zip on the ball. He has a quick release. . . once I seen a coupla' throws, I was just like 'Yeah, he's that dude.'"